The first four shots are of male rufous- sided towhees.
The towhees are frequent visitors to my bird baths.
I try to keep the water cool by adding a few ice cubes throughout the day.
My neighbor's cats try to find shade under my car which is a little scary in case I don't notice them.
They also seek shade on my driveway stoop which scares me for myself as well as for the cats, since I don't want to trip over them on my way out the door and land on concrete.
I think bluejays are very pretty birds.
The mourning doves are fun to watch although in the middle of the deck they blend in so well I don't see them until they get near the bird baths.
Mourning doves never seem to mind getting right up against each other.
I have a lot of brown thrashers at my house.
The are very easy to spot both from their calls and looks.
They have fairly long beaks compared to some of the other birds that visit me.
I took about 20 shots of the brown thrasher below when it was sunning itself and have already used one of those shots on my other blog.
Next is another shot of my neighbor's cat seeking shade under my car.
The catbird below dove into the water with enthusiasm.
Then it came up for air.
Another catbird was in my front yard taking a bath. I provide water on my deck in the back of my house and also in the front of my house.
The male cardinal was trying to stay cool in my pecan tree.
Below is a house finch.
Next is a transitional male cardinal. Not quite an adult but getting more of its red feathers.
The female cardinal below is close to adulthood.
Below is another female cardinal which is growing up fast.
Cardinals are the North Carolina state bird and we get a lot of them where I live.
The males and females look a lot more like each other when they are juveniles than after they are adults.
This post is getting rather long but I've been shooting so many birds through the windows that I have a lot to choose from.
In this heat I experience the outside world from the comfort of my air conditioned house watching the birds through the windows.
I'll end with one last cardinal.
Glad you have air conditioning as the heat wave continues in your neck of the woods. The cat photos convey the heat very well. It must be tough to have fur and feathers right now. Thank goodness for people like you that have birdbaths filled with water and for the shade found under the leaves. :)
ReplyDeleteso many beautiful birds. i can't believe how much the towhee looks like a robin. a quick glance and it could be easily mistaken for a robin. so glad you provide for the birds. the cat looks happy just lounging at your house too. hope all is well. have a great day~
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures. Hope you get a break in the weather soon.
ReplyDeletea candid set of images!!
ReplyDeletehttp://sushmita-smile.blogspot.in/
this is so cool a collection. the idea of keeping the water cool is also creative. Good to see so many wonderful pictures.
ReplyDeleteAwesome pics all of them. You seem to be having incredibly beautiful winged visitors in your back yard.
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures!
ReplyDeleteTropical temperatures, animals and birds to tolerate bad.
Lucy-maria
Thanks for the visit to your Paradise for bird-life! I love the bathing shots!
ReplyDelete(I need a bird feeder, a bird bath, and a new camera ;>))
Such terrific shots of your bird and cat neighbors! I do hope you get some cooler weather soon!! It has sounded terrible! I should never whine about our rain -- at least we have comfortable temps -- amazing for summer, but delightful nevertheless! Have a good week, Carver, and thanks for sharing your beautiful friends!!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
Animals cooling off, good idea and great way you tell the story.
ReplyDeleteWonderful series Carver! Looking at them I feel cool already :)
ReplyDeleteIt's great to provide water for these dear little creatures to stay cool. We broke a heat record yesterday though I don't know what it was. After being rainy for so long it is suddenly hot!
ReplyDeleteThose birds are just loving the bird baths you provide. Great photos.
ReplyDeleteLove the puffy ones!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteLots of nice bird shots here. It's finally cooled off around here.
ReplyDeleteStill hot where you are, Carver? Today was actually pleasantly warm in New Jersey! The poor cat with all his fur. I saw some mourning doves in my backyard earlier today. Catbirds, too. But no thrashers.
ReplyDeleteI just love all your birds bathing, Carver. Great shots and awesome birds. The Brown Thrasher is one of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteThey are enjoying the cool of your bird-bath .... A lovely series of "keeping cool" pics
ReplyDeleteThe beautiful birds must be thanking you for the bird bath you provide them...little do they know that you are capturing their cuteness as well:)Have a great week ahead.
ReplyDeleteShantana
Well, I met some new birds here! The Thrasher was one of them, and you sure did get wonderful focus on their shots. I am so happy that you have air conditioning, and that you help the birds and critters around you to keep cool.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photographs, fantastic birds. I am greeting
ReplyDeleteTake a nap under the car is a smart choice, it's a fresh place! =^.^=
ReplyDeleteCool pictures!
Luna - we LOVE LUNA
Interesting post. Now you can use this exporters india directory to promote water features products import & export business.
ReplyDeleteI love all your bird shots and sympathize with the cat. I also tend to collapse into any cool spot I can find...lol!
ReplyDelete